Classical Corner

January 24, 2013

"Admission: One Shilling": "Downton Abbey" actress Lesley Nicol and pianist Inna Faliks headline the U.S. premiere of a theatrical production about British pianist Myra Hess' intrepid concerts in London's National Gallery at the height of the Blitz during World War II. Fittingly, the musical play (which is based on Hess' actual words) takes place in the hall where the weekly Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts are given. 7 p.m. Tuesday in Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Blvd.; free; 312-670-6888, imfchicago.org

"Bugs Bunny at the Symphony": George Daugherty conducts a new edition of his family-friendly program featuring the wascally wabbit and other Looney Tunes cartoon characters, accompanied by a live orchestra. 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $35-$110; 312-294-3000, cso.org

New Philharmonic: Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1 is the sole work, preceded by a discussion that includes musical excerpts and video clips. Music director Kirk Muspratt conducts this final concert of the orchestra's abbreviated season. 8 p.m. Saturday at Edman Memorial Chapel, Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton; 630-942-4000, atthemac.org

Northwestern University Winter Chamber Music Festival: The 17th edition of the Bienen School of Music's annual celebration concludes with three concerts. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, the Escher String Quartet performs the eighth quartets of Beethoven and Shostakovich, along with Prokofiev's Quartet No. 2; $22. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Bienen School faculty and guests play works by Saint-Saens, Prokofiev and Schumann; $20. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, violinist/music director Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg leads the New Century Chamber Orchestra in music of Mendelssohn, Villa-Lobos, Strauss and William Bolcom; $30. Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston; 847-467-4000, pickstaiger.org